Where Should I Go? (My Top Five Hostels, Part Two)

How is this the only picture
I have of this hostel?

More awesome places for you to check out…

3. Hostelling International (HI)— Monterey, California

Location: You’ll find this hostel in a city a few hours south of San Francisco. It perches on the edge of the tourist district, an easy walk to the picturesque beaches.

Best perks: The kitchen and common room are fantastic. The cupboards are stocked with spices, and they have a huge free-leftovers bin in the fridge. The common room is equipped with big comfy couches, coffee table books, percussion instruments of many kinds, and a piano. 

What else you need to know: The rooms are nothing special, so plan on spending your time in the common room. You can either blend into the background and get work done or actively meet people and socialize— the room is big enough to accommodate both.

My favorite memory there: One night I played piano (with the help of a handy fakebook) while a couple of French women played percussion and sang and a Dutch man and one of the American staff played their guitars. We sang songs in three different languages until almost midnight.

In a nutshell: The hostel is a great starting point for visiting this fun beach town. Go out exploring all day, and come home to a fun atmosphere in the evening.

Yay San Diego!

2. HI— Point Loma, San Diego, California

Location: You’ll find this welcoming hostel in a residential neighborhood to the west of San Diego proper. It’s easily accessible from the airport, and within a couple miles of Ocean Beach.

Best perks: This is one of the friendliest hostels I’ve ever visited, as well as the only hostel I’ve visited more than once. The staff will go out of their way to talk to you, and the smaller common room and TV lounge encourage people to meet up and talk. The rooms are cozy and decorated in different themes. Also, there’s a hammock and ping-pong table on the back patio and a piano and pet lizard in the common room. What more could you ask for?

What else you need to know: You can eat a free pancake breakfast every day (with toppings such as blueberries and chocolate chips), and pay your pocket change for oatmeal and eggs. Free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate abound. Stump’s Family Market nearby is a great place to grab some groceries, but if you’d rather leave it up to someone else, you can pay $5 for a hearty communal dinner any night of the week.

My favorite memory there: I stayed up until 4:30 in the morning having an intense conversation with two strangers about history, life, travel, heartbreak, work, love and God. I felt so refreshed and encouraged after that conversation that I hardly felt tired the next day after three hours of sleep.

In a nutshell: Friendly, beachy, and laid-back, Point Loma’s hostel is a great place for a low-cost vacation, any time of the year.

I don't even know what the streamers are for, but they're cool.

1. Everglades International Hostel, Florida City, Florida

Location: In the middle of a nothin’ neighborhood in a nothin’ town, about 10 miles from the northern entrance of the Everglades National Park, you will discover a hidden gem.

Best perks: Where do I even begin? The owners of this hostel took an ordinary building and transformed it into a fairyland. The rooms are painted with murals and different themes. Outside the building, you’ll find a garden designed by someone young at heart: several rope swings, a treehouse with a tightrope, a clay bread oven, a tent with pillows and hookah pipes available, a waterfall and small pool you can wade in, and a gazebo with a flat roof for stargazing, filled on the inside with couches, pillows, and percussion instruments. You’ll also find a separate building for the kitchen and the TV room, as well as a small lounge with a piano. The community at the hostel is strong, and you’ll often find well over a dozen people from all over the world sitting around a campfire, drinking beer and socializing.

What else you need to know: The hostel leads expeditions into the Everglades National Park, for an additional fee. There are no lockers in the rooms, so if you’re paranoid about your valuables, leave them with the front desk. There is a free pancake breakfast in the morning and $5 communal meals almost every night. The bunks are more expensive than the average hostel, but I can’t emphasize how much it’s worth it. If you’re on a tighter budget, try camping: they will let you pitch a tent in the garden for a cheaper price. Between November and March, you can pay a smaller fee to just “crash” anywhere you can find room to sleep (treehouse, anyone?).

My favorite memory there: I went swimming in the pool with my friend Charlotte, played a dice game at a picnic table with a group of international travelers, and then sunbathed in the garden while eating fresh starfruit. My family back home in Missouri was buried in snow. I felt vaguely guilty.

In a nutshell: This hostel is a destination in and of itself. If you ever find yourself near Miami, make the effort to visit this wonderful place. You’ll be glad you did.

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Where Should I Go? (My Top Five Hostels, Part One)

Announcing my new “column:” The Traveling Mandolin’s “Where Should I Go?” (I know, it’s catchy, right? I made it up all by myself.) Every week (probably on Thursday), I’ll write about a place that’s worth visiting. Since I’m kicking off the series, I’m giving you five. 

Having always been a budget traveler, I’ve only once had enough money to stay at a hotel. I didn’t like it. I felt lonely, isolated, and paranoid most of the time. Fortunately, I discovered hostels, and my travels were never the same again.

Here’s a list of my favorite hostels, which I highly recommend, should you ever get a chance to visit them. You’ll notice that three of the five are in California. This is for two reasons: one, there are a lot of hostels in California. Two, I spent a month visiting the different hostels up the coast one time. I’ve never visited the hostels in the Midwest or New England, so my experience is limited. Now, without further ado, I give you My Top Five Hostels, Part One!

The view out the window is awesome.

5. Green Tortoise Hostel, Seattle, Washington

Location: You’ll find the Tortoise in the upper story of a building directly across from the Pike Place Market, within easy walking distance of everything along the waterfront.

Best perks: The bunks are luxurious, with personal lamps and curtains that you can draw. When I visited they even made the bed for me, which is unusual at a hostel! They have free communal dinners three times a week, and a free breakfast every morning, plus tons of events to participate in (mostly involving booze, but also walking tours and the like). Sometimes there are volunteer opportunities that let you work for a few hours in exchange for a free night.

What else you need to know: This place charges a heftier fee than most hostels, but considering the privacy and the amount of food you consume, it’s totally worth it. Also be sure to have $20 cash for a deposit that you receive back after your stay. Participate in the events if you really want to meet people.

My favorite memory there: I volunteered to wash dishes for supper, and the other volunteer was a slight 18-year old kid. During our conversation, I learned that he had just spent the past 14 months traveling all over the world, everywhere from Eastern Europe to South America. Stunned, I asked him what had inspired him to take such an amazing adventure. He just shrugged and said, “My girlfriend dumped me.”

In a nutshell: The Green Tortoise has a chill atmosphere, great amenities and an international crowd of all ages. If you’re visiting Seattle on a budget, this is a fantastic option!

4. Hostelling International (HI)— Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco, California

And this hostel has cannons!

Location: This hostel is part of a renovated systems of forts, in a state park called Fort Mason. Step outside the front door, and you’ll see the San Francisco Bay— with the Golden Gate Bridge to your left and the island of Alcatraz directly ahead. A short walk takes you to the Fisherman’s Wharf tourist district.

Best perks: This hostel is relatively peaceful, and is surrounded by beautiful scenery including the park, a nice view of the skyline, a community garden, and beaches. They have free breakfast in the mornings as well as a café where you can cheaply purchase snacks for the day.

What else you need to know: The rooms are pretty spartan and host several people at a time, so plan on bringing earplugs. Because it’s such a big hostel, you have to be especially extroverted to make contact with other people. 

My favorite memory there: My sister Mary and I ate breakfast with two Taiwanese sisters who had lived in Argentina for most of their lives. It turned out they were Christians, too, and gave us a lot of encouragement about our upcoming trip. I’m friends with them on Facebook to this day.

In a nutshell: If you want to visit San Francisco without staying at one of the noisy downtown hostels, give this place a try. I love its scenic quality and its easy access to anywhere in San Fran.

Tomorrow, I’ll give you Part Two. In the meantime, what are some of your favorite places to stay?

~~~

The Difference Between a Tourist and a Traveler

Pictured: a gaggle of tourists taking a cliché photo
(Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)

A Tourist…

travels in gaggles, among other tourists.

packs several massive bags.

likes clean, orderly spaces.

takes pictures in front of that thing that everybody takes pictures in front of.

only hangs out in touristy areas.

flocks to name-brand restaurants and experiences.

spends large amounts of money, boosting the town’s tourist industry.

A Traveler…

tries to trek off the beaten path.

packs light.

seeks out the gritty and the bizarre.

Pictured: a traveler being mauled by sheep
(Compass Rose Farms, Port Townsend, WA)

photographs people and quirky things.

conscientiously avoids touristy areas.

always eats at local restaurants and never goes name-brand.

doesn’t spend much money because is traveling on a budget.

People who self-identify as “travelers” usually get really upset when someone refers to them as a “tourist.” I’m not. I’ve grown up in a tourist district (and spend my Christmas season entertaining them), and I’m happy for the revenue that they bring into our town. Also, taking pictures in front of a cliché statue/cathedral/bronze pig is just plain fun. I often travel as a tourist in the US, but when I go to Europe, I plan to be a traveler.

Whether tourist or traveler, one thing is essential: be aware of what you’re doing. If you think Cracker Barrel is a for-real down-home restaurant, you’re deceiving yourself. If you still prefer to eat there because it’s what you like, then go for it. Be thoughtful, culturally sensitive, and friendly. If you’re a traveler, enjoy the cultural experience. If you’re a tourist, revel in the culture of a completely different kind.

~~~

Travel Tip Tuesdays: Safety for Women (but applies to men too)

“Is it safe for a woman to travel alone?”

The short answer is a resounding, “Yes.” Fellow ladies, you might be apprehensive or even terrified at the prospect of taking a trip by yourself. Two words: Don’t be! I’ve traveled to both coasts and through dozens of cities by myself, and I’m one of the less adventuresome people— I’ve met women who have traveled the entire world, spent months in the Middle East, or biked to California from the southern tip of Argentina, all without any trouble. Traveling solo can be as safe as anything else, as long as you have a little common sense. Here are some tips for anyone, but especially for women.

Travel buddies: Charlotte, from Belgium, and Darija, from
Slovenia. They have both done extensive solo travels.

Plan ahead for safety. Stay out of trouble areas. Ask a local where the “bad streets” are and mark it on your map. Be aware of your surroundings and if you start to feel nervous, don’t chide yourself for being paranoid— turn around and walk back the way you came. Be sure to plan your day so that you’re indoors before nightfall.

Always look totally confident, even if you’re not. Burying your head in a huge map while looking panicked and confused might attract a kind stranger to help you out, but it’s not worth the risk of looking like someone who’d make an easy victim. Stand tall, walk with purpose, and practice the expression and body language that clearly say, I am a confident self-sufficient woman, and I’m not afraid of you. If you need help with something, find a woman to assist you.

Keep in touch with your woman’s intuition. First impressions can be deceptive, but more than often they are often dead on. If you get a bad vibe from someone, stay away from them without questioning this idea. If you feel that someone is trustworthy, obey the Trust, but verify rule. Don’t go out of your comfort zone, but also consider taking a calculated risk. I can’t tell you how many times a small risk on my part made my trip infinitely better.

Be bold. If someone’s annoying you, look them straight in the eyes and tell them as much, politely. If they start harassing you, yell and scream at them. If you’re being followed, go into a store and ask if the owner can call you a cab. Personally, I’ve never been in any of these situations, but I’m always ready to cause a scene if I have to.

Be smart, but don’t be afraid. Of course it’s important to be cautious, but don’t let fear cloud your judgement or hamstring your plans. Have fun, be confident, and enjoy the wonders of traveling by yourself!

~~~

Have a travel question? Leave a comment and I’ll answer!

How to Take a Walk (especially if you're on the road)

Whether strolling through a park, exploring a downtown, or trying to find the hostel from the bus stop, you will often end up walking long stretches when you’re on the road. The best way to see many places is on foot, where you have enough time to get the full impact of the sites you’re seeing.

I’ve been taking walks with my dad and mom since I was about three, so I take it for granted that I know how to walk. The more people I meet, though, the more I realize that an appalling number of people simply never learned how. Here are some tips.

Wear comfy shoes. Yes, this is a no-brainer, but I see way too many women wobbling around on high heels in the brick-and-cobble historic district near my house. Pain in your feet affects the rest of your attitude, so it’s better to sacrifice heels for shoes that are actually comfortable.

Carry a backpack instead of a purse/knapsack. If you keep your arms and hands free, you’ll have a better balance of weight, making it easier to move. If you have a heavy knapsack banging against your leg with every step, you’ll wear down much faster.

In each step, push yourself forward with your toes. Although the heel-toe method of walking has been challenged by the barefoot enthusiasts, it still makes sense to push off with your toes. You’ll move faster and make walking easier by transferring your energy. This is the number one problem I see in people who never learned to walk: they stomp instead of stepping, bringing themselves to a complete stop every time they place their foot down. This is inefficient and will wear you out much quicker.

Don’t walk too slowly. If you take one step at a time, putting your full weight on each foot, your feet will get sore much faster. If you walk at a slightly faster clip, constantly transferring your weight, your feet won’t take as much of a beating, and you’ll last longer without soreness. Find a comfortable pace and try to maintain it; this is easier than constantly speeding up and slowing down.

My feet are some of my greatest allies when I’m traveling— they give me more freedom, more options, and more up-close views of my favorite places. Happy walking!

~~~

Tarts

Yesterday, my friend Emily and I ate homemade pizza together, then spent most of the evening making tarts. (Want the recipe? Just cookie-cutter some piecrust dough, fill it with pastry cream, and top it with berries and apricot glaze.) The finished product inspired much photo-taking, and we celebrated by burning her homework in our fire pit while eating mint chocolate chip ice cream. Christian and Zach soon joined us, and we all stayed up until two in the morning talking about theology, philosophy, and linguistics.

As Calvin would say, “I consider this day seized.”

~~~

Obligatory Post about The Avengers

No, we don’t need one more post in the blogosphere gushing about Joss Whedon’s latest movie, so I will forbear as much as I can. Let’s just say that I’ve seen it twice in the theaters and likely will see it again before it leaves. It’s refreshing to see an action movie with great character development, excellent pacing, genuinely heroic characters, and— GASP— a kick-butt female lead who actually has a personality!

I only draw fan art of things I like (even though said fan art will probably upset many fans). I drew this on the back of a Steak’n’Shake placemat yesterday after seeing the movie with some friends. Enjoy.

Click on the picture to experience the full glory (aka, "read the thought bubbles").

~~~

Our First Twenty-Miler

Yesterday, Zach and I decided to walk from Frontier Park to Creve Coeur Park and back, a distance of roughly twenty miles. This was the longest consecutive walk either of us have ever taken, and walking it with no warm-up seemed like a great idea. 

The short story is, we made it. The hardest part for me had nothing to do with my legs— it was my stupid sensitivity to sunlight that gave me a pretty good case of sunstroke, complete with nausea and a blinding headache. I was able to push through it, though, and with the sun below the horizon, we enjoyed a cool breezy last-four-miles home.

Last night I was limping around, but today I’m back to normal. If seized with a sudden fit of amnesia, I wouldn’t ever guess that I had walked so far yesterday. This gives me hope for my future hiking plans. I have no athletic ability, but darn it, I can walk twenty miles!

Miles walked yesterday: 21.6

Hours spent on walk: 7

Water drunk: Well over half a gallon each

Sunstroke: Yes

Sore legs: Not really

Good time had by all? Yes!

~~~

Travel Tip Tuesdays: 9 Tips for Meeting People on the Road

“How can I meet people when I’m traveling?”

Some people can go for days or weeks without exchanging more than a few words with their fellow man. I am not one of those people. Having grown up in a family of six, I’m used to constant interaction, and I feel jittery and lonely if I’m by myself for too long. When I travel solo, communication with strangers is essential. Even when I’m not traveling by myself, it’s still awesome! Here are nine tips to get you started.

Join Couchsurfing. Even if you don’t actually surf at someone’s house, you can search for locals who want to hang out and show you their city.

Hostel buddies! (She even let me crash
at her house later on in my trip.)

Stay at a hostel instead of a hotel. You don’t have to stay in a dorm— get a private room, then spend time in the common area, cook meals in the shared kitchen, and introduce yourself to the people you see. 

Wear a really big backpack. Everybody asks about it.

Dress like a tourist. This may not work so well overseas, but in America, there will always be people like me who think tourists are adorable and go out of their way to speak to these cute creatures.

Be open to outside conversation. This is much easier if you’re traveling by yourself, especially if you’re female, but it applies to everyone. If you’re sitting in a café totally absorbed in a conversation with your travel partner, no one will approach you. If you and your buddy are walking down the street with open expressions, greeting everyone who passes with something more meaningful than, “Hi,” you’re on the right track.

Compliment people on their dogs and their babies. If you’re a dog-owner or a mom or dad, bring it up at every opportunity to people who obviously have common ground.

Ask friendly-looking people for travel advice. “Excuse me, I’m new in this city. Could you tell me the best place to get breakfast around here?” (Ask people who will not think you’re hitting on them.)

Just beware of statues asking for a kiss.

Genuinely listen to people. Actually, this is a good tip no matter who you’re talking to. Some folks will actually want to hear about where you’re traveling, but most just want to give you advice or tell you about their own exploits. And, let’s face it, oftentimes people have traveled a lot more than you have!

Dance— anywhere, anytime, especially when there are a lot of people around. Click your heels. Pretend to be a statue. Take a bow. Be goofy. You’re with a bunch of new people anyway. What do you have to lose?

~~~

Have a travel question? Leave a comment and I’ll answer!

Why You Should Draw When You're on the Road

One of my favorite parts of traveling is the way it frees my imagination. I’m a pretty creative person— from writing stories to playing my three instruments, I thrive on the right-brain activities— and a change of scenery does wonders for my head. Although I rarely write anything on the road other than my blog, I’m inspired for months afterward.

Another way travel boosts my creativity is that I have time and excuse to draw. Doodling at a hostel room or a café is one of the best ways to get people to talk to you, as long as you don’t look too absorbed. I have a fair sketching hand. I learned a long time ago that I would never put in the effort to excel at art, but I find it very relaxing, a happy escape to a place that is all about lines and spaces and visual ideas.

My dad is an artist, so I was receiving instruction from the day I could pick up a marker. Anytime someone says, “I wish I could draw,” I always respond, “Practice every week for nineteen years and you can.” (Yes, I know, I rant about this a lot. But still. Art is not voodoo. It’s a lot of hard work, just like any other skill.)

I love the things I draw when I travel. Although my best art has often been drawn at home, the pictures that make me smile the most were all born when I was on the road.

Originally, it was just a picture of a man and woman. Then I realized the suit
didn't look right. This made me mad. So I gave the woman a pistol. Obviously.

The next time you visit somewhere, even if it’s a day trip, I encourage you to pick up a pencil and draw or freewrite or do something creative that you wouldn’t normally do. It’s a unique way of taking pictures that help you remember the place you were at, what you were doing, and why it was so awesome.

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